10 Aug 2024 | 09:57 AM UTC
Nigeria: Further violence possible after assailants kill at least 50 people in Ayathi, Benue State, Aug. 8
Further violence is possible after unidentified assailants attacked Ayathi, Ukum LGA, Benue State, Nigeria, Aug. 8. At least 50 killed.
Further violence is possible in the Ayathi area of Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State, in the coming days following an attack by unidentified assailants on Aug. 8. The violence left at least 50 people dead. The motive for the attack is unclear.
Over the short term, heightened security will likely be maintained across the LGA to prevent further violence, including retaliatory attacks from aggrieved communities. Officials could impose movement restrictions, such as curfews. Locals may also stage protests to denounce the perceived inaction to stem the violence.
Consider deferring travel to the Ukum LGA until the situation stabilizes. If such travel is unavoidable, exercise extreme caution. Heed instructions issued by local authorities, including possible curfew orders. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations.
Communal clashes are frequent in the middle belt, particularly in Benue State, and primarily stem from land use and water rights disputes between agricultural-based communities and nomadic pastoral herders, sometimes further aggravated by religious components. Such violence often fuels rounds of reprisal attacks between various communities, leading to heavy casualty tolls.
